About

Enhance your life with resources for learning and leisure at the Oshkosh Public Library. The library is an information resource, a link to the online world, a leader in preserving and sharing local history and a vibrant place where the community gathers to read, learn, connect and grow. An architectural gem in the heart of downtown Oshkosh, visit the library at 106 Washington Ave. or at www.oshkoshpubliclibrary.org.

Easy to Use

An Oshkosh Public Library card gives you access to the resources of the 30 public libraries in the Winnefox Library System. Use your free library card to: • Borrow materials • Use online resources anytime from home or office • Log on to public Internet stations at the library • Search the library catalog, place items on hold and renew materials • Sign up to receive e-mail notices when materials are due or reserves are ready for pickup

Resources & Services

The library’s collection includes: • More than 330,000 items for adults, teens and children, including books, paperbacks, large-print books, magazines and newspapers, music CDs, audio books on CD, videos and DVDs • eBooks and downloadable audio books• Kindles available for public checkout • Online encyclopedias, newspaper, journal and magazine articles for research or homework • Online resources for education and career needs (computer skills, business articles, language learning, practice tests); as well as consumer topics (health, auto repair, product information, sustainable living)

Technology

The library offers services and assistance to help bridge the gap in the public’s technology needs by offering:• More than 30 public Internet computers • Free Wi-Fi throughout the library building • A Technology Learning Lab for small-group sessions on downloading library books and using a variety of other online library resources

Preserving and Sharing Local History

The Oshkosh Public Library has an extensive local history collection including: • Books, indexes and other materials at the library • An impressive selection of digitized books, photographs, postcards, maps and public records about Oshkosh • Extensive genealogy resources in the library and online, along with research assistance from experienced staff who specialize in this field

Children & Families

In addition to our large children’s book collection, the library offers a wide variety of children’s services and programs: • Story time and other literacy-based programs • Extensive resources for teachers and home-school families • A special autism collection • Family spaces with child development toys conveniently located near parenting resources

Programs, Events & Outreach

A wide variety of programs and special events are offered for children, teens and adults: • Reading events, author visits, art programs and story times for children & families• Author visits, history and cultural presentations and Do-It-Yourself programs for adults • Book clubs, games days and group activities for teens• Summer Reading Program • Free movies for all ages • Roving Reader visits to community child care centers • Home delivery service to individuals and senior living centers

Get Involved

Become a volunteer or join the Friends of the Oshkosh Public Library. The Friends provide support for the library through volunteer service, fundraising and advocacy. Visit the Friends Gift Shop on the library’s first floor and shop the bi-monthly Used Book Sale.

History

1896: A free public library for Oshkosh opened in a room in City Hall on April 1. 1900: A new library opened at the present site, funded by a bequest from Abby Danforth Harris, private contributions and a city bond issue. Local architect William Waters designed the building. 1967: An addition is built to accommodate growth in collection, staff and services. 1993: A major expansion and renovation project wraps a U-shaped structure around the original Waters Building and restores the rotunda and dome area. The expansion was funded by influential Oshkosh businesswoman Alberta Kimball and required a matching bond issue from the City of Oshkosh.